Saturday, September 20, 2008

Books to Live by

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What book are you reading now?

A book by Brock & Bodie Thoene has my attention today. Called First Light (Historical Fiction). Also reading, Coming to our Senses by Jon Kabat –Zinn (Meditation book).  I am supposed to be reading, Yearning for the Living God by Elder Buschio (for Book Club), and The Book of Mormon (for my class.)

What are your favorite books?

So, So many. Favorite genre is probably historical/fiction and memoirs. Favorite book ever is Les Miserable's.  Also, The Good Earth, The Chosen, A Tree grows in Brooklyn, and The Great Plains. Plus many many more.

How did I learn to read?

I have very fond memories of sitting with my mom as she taught me to read.

What foreign language can you read?

None! I have never tried. Was I supposed too?

What is the funniest book you have ever read?

Two come to mind – Marley and Me by John Grogan, and the Shopaholics series by Sophie Kinsella

What books have changed the way you looked at the world?

Les Mis. (of course), also Cold Mountain, Posionwood Bible, are books I still think about. Oh, and recently Three Cups of Tea.

What are some of the scariest books you have ever read?

I try not to. I internalize it to much. The evil Cathy in East of Eden is the best written dark soul I’ve ever read, she gives me the shivers.

About how many books a month do you borrow from the library? 

I am not allowed in the Library.  The library doesn’t like me much, because I have a habit of being over due. My fines where embarrassingly high. Can you imagine being threatened to be sent to collections, by the library!! Needless to say it is cheaper for me to buy a book.

Do you read in bed?

Silly question, in Bed, in the tub, in the car, at the table, in the yard, in a box, in a train, opps I am not Dr Seuss. Sorry.

Do you ever read while walking or driving?

Same answer as above!

Do you read aloud to others?

Boo – Hoo! (that is me crying) When Harry Potter 7 came out Mookie told me he was old enough to read it by himself! (Boo-Hoo)! All of the CS Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia series – Box Car Children, Ella Enchanted, – and of course Harry Potter. Reading aloud to my children, and nursing my children, I miss, miss, miss. Not necessarily together, or at the same time, are you confused? How they go together, I do not know. I just miss them. Sweet, tender times.

What was the most difficult book to read. 

Night by Elie Wiesel, such a stark description of the Holocaust. Heart wrenching. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah about the boy soldiers in Sierra Leone was also a difficult read. Escape by Carolyn Jessop was an eye opener. Wicked, Wicked world! Also, Jesus the Christ by James Talmage. The physical description of the crucifixion has never left me. 

What is the worst book you remember reading?

From the standpoint of the worst written ever -  John Grishim’s The King of Torts. Awful. Shame on you John, but you redeemed yourself with The Innocent Man. Powerful book on the corruption in our judicial system.

What books do you intend to read but keep putting off ?

I am going to admit I never really read Huck Finn. I know I was supposed to read it in H.S. What can I say? William Shakespeare, you wonderful author you, I will read you yet!

Do you lend your books?

Chuckle, giggle, laugh

What books where your favorites as a child?

The books I blame for this expensive addiction, are: The Box Car Children series, and The Little House on the Prairie series. I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder so bad.

What books do recommend to young people?

Recent books I have come across. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke, and of course, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. (which I think will become a classic) From my earlier years of reading, The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’dell. My Side of the Mountain trilogy by Jean Craighead George. The Giver, Gathering Blue, and The Messenger by.  Lois Lowery. Any of the JRR Tolken Books. Is that enough? CS Lewis, cannot be left out.

What where your favorite books as a child?

I remember a lot of Dr. Seuss, and these compilations that my grandpa had given to us (He was an elementary school principle) Those books had stories such as, Red Rose and Snow White, The Elf, and the Shoemaker, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Wind and The Sun. I need to see if my mom still has those books.

Do you lend your books?

Gasp, snort, fits of laughter!

Do you ever read the ending first?

Only if I hate the book – to help me decide whether to finish. Believe it or not, I have been blessed by this action a few times.

What books have you read more then once?

Most of the time with a novel I don’t, I like to remember it the way I read it. I have read, Gifts of the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh several times. I have reread the Peacegiver, and The Holy Secret by James Ferrell. I do underline in books, a lot, then I will go back and reread what I underlined.

What frequently recommended books have you been unable to finish?

Surprisingly quite a few of the Oprah picks. They are depressing. hard women, life is awful stories. Sorry, but it is true. I hated ( I know that is a strong word) Pillar’s of the Earth by Ken Follet. Why oh why did I read that book?

List some of your favorite authors:

JRR Tolken, CS Lewis, Victor Hugo, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Khaled Hosseni, Barbara Kingsolver, Charles Frazier, Ian Frazier, Brock and Bodie Thoene, ETC. ETC… And here's to the future authors that I will yet love.

You are stranded on a Desert Island and you can only have one book what would it be?

I know this is a set up question –but its true I would take my Book of Mormon, but I hope I would be smart enough to at least grab my triple, I would like the Bible there too.

Thanks Laurie for these fun questions, thanks Bonnie for loving to browse book stores as much as I do, and reminding me of all the books I love, or will love. Thanks Mom for the love of books, and thanks Rog for letting me read as much as I want.

Do you lend you books out?

Gasp, Gasp, I can’t breathe, Oh my sides are hurting!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

That is a great question/answer session. I tried to read to my kids its kinda hard to have such different ages and they want different books. Still working on three colums

The Williams said...

In My Hands Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer by Irene Gut Opdyke. Best holocaust book I've read yet. I love that you read first because I can just take my list down to the book store where I buy books also. (I also figure I can buy-and donate/give away-and save money because I didn't have to pay the fines. Go ahead a laugh I have no book shelves left in my house)

Tristi Pinkston said...

I love the Shopaholics series too -- and I totally agree about the Oprah books. Sometimes they are just too difficult to read.

My favorite these days is "I Capture the Castle." It's way beyond awesome.

The Williams said...

I really liked marley and me alot too. Right now i have many fav books, like Esperanza Rising by Pam munoz ryan, Riding freedom by pam munoz ryan, and of course, the may bird series by Jodi Lynn Anderson, I try not to get into series because i hate it when they end. Thoose authors are my favorites. did you know there making marley and me a movie?

Jami said...

Okay Jen - This is getting deep!!! Who the Heck has time to read?? I am envious. I do read to my little ones every night. I read a lot on the toilet until my fanny can't take it anymore! Hehe. Your my inspiration. Read for me!!!!

bonnie j said...

Thank you Jennefer for letting me browse your bookshelves and recommending so many of my favorites! You always know the good ones before they are popular ("twilight" months before the craze) lately I'm into reading my kids youth genre; loved "stargirl" harry potter, the book thief, etc.